Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B49/00—Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis
  • A63B49/02—Frames
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B49/00—Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis
  • A63B49/02—Frames
  • A63B49/08—Frames with special construction of the handle
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B49/00—Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis
  • A63B49/02—Frames
  • A63B49/10—Frames made of non-metallic materials, other than wood
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
  • A63B53/04—Heads
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
  • A63B53/14—Handles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
  • A63B60/06—Handles
  • A63B60/08—Handles characterised by the material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
  • A63B60/06—Handles
  • A63B60/14—Coverings specially adapted for handles, e.g. sleeves or ribbons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
  • A63B60/54—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with means for damping vibrations
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
  • A63B2102/02—Tennis
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
  • A63B2102/32—Golf
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
  • A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
  • A63B2209/10—Characteristics of used materials with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
  • A63B53/10—Non-metallic shafts

Definitions

• dampeners for sporting equipment wherein the dampeners dampen or attenuate energy, such as vibrations or sound.
• the dampeners include polymeric compositions having butyl rubber polymers and, optionally, resins based on phenol-formaldehyde.
• the dampeners can be used in sporting equipment that requires attenuation and absorption of impact, vibration, and/or sound, and the dampeners may provide cushioning to the user.
• the present disclosure also relates to sporting equipment including such dampeners.
• sports equipment that includes a body and a vibration dampener associated with the body, wherein the vibration dampener comprises a polymeric composition comprising a butyl rubber.
• a vibration dampener for sports equipment that includes a layer comprised of a polymeric composition comprising a butyl rubber, wherein the layer is configured to be attached to sports equipment.
• the vibration dampeners may be a shape selected from strips, sheets, films, strings, ropes, fibers, chips, rings, forms, molds, slabs, tapes, coatings, perforated sheets, corrugated structures, beads, foams and laminates.
• ranges are used as shorthand only to avoid listing and describing each and every value within the range. Any appropriate value within the range can be selected as the upper value, the lower value, or the end-point of the range.
• the formulations of the present disclosure show unexpected and a surprising improvement over an exemplary polyurethane based material currently available for example for dampening purposes. More specifically, the formulations of the polymeric compositions show at least about 20% to about 500% improvement in the tan delta value, that is the ratio of the loss modulus over the storage modulus of the material, during the dynamic mechanical analysis of article made from such formulation measured at room temperature and various frequencies.
• dampeners for sports equipment.
• the dampeners or vibration dampeners may dampen and/or attenuate vibrations, sounds and/or other forms of energy that are generated during use of the sports equipment.
• the dampeners may be integral with the sporting equipment or may be attached to or otherwise associated with sporting equipment.
• the dampeners may be described herein in relation to certain sports equipment, such descriptions are meant to be exemplary and the dampeners may be applied to any sports equipment.
• Such sport equipment includes, but is not limited to, racquets (tennis, racquet ball, badminton etc.) paddles (ping-pong, pickleball, tennis, platform tennis, etc.), sticks (hockey, lacrosse, etc.), clubs (golf, etc.), bats (baseball, softball, cricket, etc.), hats, gloves (baseball, hockey, golf, etc.), shoes, pads (football, soccer, hockey lacrosse, shin, knee, shoulder, etc.) and helmets and headgear (football, baseball, bike, auto-racing, hockey, soccer, wrestling, etc.).
• the sports equipment includes a body and a dampener associated with the body.
• the dampener includes a polymeric composition.
• the polymeric composition may be a composition comprising a butyl rubber, such as any of the butyl rubber containing polymeric composition disclosed herein.
• the polymeric composition could be any polymer composition that dampens or attenuates energy so as to reduce the vibration and frequency during use, therefore enhancing the user's experience of the sports equipment.
• the polymeric composition could include any suitable polymer.
• the polymeric composition may include other components as well.
• the polymeric composition may include a polymer and a metal.
• the polymeric composition may include a polymer and tungsten.
• the dampener may be integral or one-piece with the body, and/or may be attached to or otherwise associated with the body.
• the body of the sports equipment includes a frame and the dampener is associated with the frame.
• the body includes a shaft and the dampener is associated with the shaft. If a shaft is hollow, the dampener may be applied inside of the shaft via insertion of a solid or particles or a foam spray type application. If a frame is hollow, the dampener could be placed inside of a hollow frame, during a manufacturing process in form of a foam, spray, beads or strips. Additionally, the dampening material could replace the grommet of a tennis racquet.
• the body also may include a handle, wherein the dampener is associated with the handle.
• the dampener may be a strip or tape that includes the layer of the polymer composition and an adhesive layer for attaching the strip or tape to the body of the sports equipment.
• the strip or tape may include a gripping material, which assists in the user gripping the sports equipment.
• the layer of gripping material may be, for example, real or synthetic leather, a polymer layer or synthetic polymer layer.
• the gripping material may have an outer surface that is intended to be gripped by a user's hand. The outer surface may be textured or tacky to assist in gripping.
• the gripping material may be attached to the layer of polymer composition in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive, heat, meshing etc.
• the adhesive may be between the layer of gripping material and the layer of the polymer composition.
• the dampener may include a plurality of strips or sheets.
• the strips or sheets may be located at different locations on the body of the sports equipment.
• the strip 22 could include an adhesive layer 26 for attaching the strip 22 to sports equipment.
• the strip may also include a release layer or liner (not shown) over the bottom surface 28 of the adhesive layer 26. The release liner is removed to apply the strip 22 to the sports equipment.
• the strip 22 could include a backing layer (not shown) over a top surface 30 of the polymeric composition layer 24. The backing layer could be to protect the polymer material and/or could include decorations, sayings or images.
• the strips may be virtually any length and width depending on the desired use and the sports equipment to which it is attached.
• the strip has a length of about 7.62 cm to about 15.24 cm, a width of about 0.635 cm to about 0.76 cm and a thickness of about 15 mils (0.015 inches) to about 60 mils (0.060 inches).
• the polymer material of the strips and/or the dampener 34 described below may be any of the polymer materials disclosed herein (such as the butyl rubber materials) and may have one or more of the following:
• Figs. 3-5 these figures provide examples of dampeners 20 being attached to sports equipment, such as the illustrated tennis racquet 10.
• the size, number and placement of the dampeners on the sports equipment may be customizable. That is, the size of the dampener could be virtually any size, the number of dampeners could be any number, and the dampener(s) could be placed at any location.
• a dampener 20 is attached to the beam of the head 14 on one side of the strings 32.
• Fig. 4 a dampener 20 is placed on the inside of the beam at the top of the head 14 on one side of the strings 32.
• a dampener 20 may be placed on the beam of head 14 on the other side of the strings 32.
• Dampener 34 could be provided as a strip, sheet or tape.
• the dampener 34 includes a layer of polymeric composition 36 and an outer layer or layer of gripping material 38.
• the layer of polymeric composition 36 and the outer layer 38 may be bonded to each other in any suitable manner.
• a layer of adhesive 40 may be used to bond the polymeric composition layer 36 to the outer/gripping layer 38.
• the layers could be bonded by heat or the outer layer 38 could be meshed with the polymeric composition layer 36.
• the dampener could also include a layer of adhesive 42 for attaching the dampener to sporting equipment.
• the polymeric composition layer may be applied directly to the surface of the sporting good.
• the polymer composition such as the butyl rubber compositions disclosed herein, may have sufficient tack so that the dampener 34 (strip, sheet or tape) can be applied directly to the surface of the sporting good without the use of an intervening adhesive layer. That is, the polymer composition may have sufficient tackiness such that when employed without an adhesive layer, the dampener sufficiently attaches, sticks or is mounted on the sporting good.
• Fig. 6A there is shown an enlarged top view of one end portion 35 of the dampener 34.
• the end portion 35 includes a top surface 37 and opposed side 39 and 41.
• One or both of the side portions 39 and 41 may tapere inwardly in the direction of the terminal end of the dampener. This may be a continuous taper or taper may level out toward the terminal end of the dampener.
• the calendaring process could include a set of rollers that form a surface finish.
• they can influence the glossiness and texture of the surface.
• the process of forming the layer of polymeric composition may include vulcanization of the polymer. After the sheet is formed, the sheet is cut into desired shapes, such as into strips/tape. The cutting may be conducted in any suitable manner, such as laser, water jet or die cutting. When adhesive and gripping layers are used, these layers may be applied before or after cutting the sheets into the desired shape.
• the polymer layer of dampener 34 and/or the strips 20 disclosed above may be any of the polymer materials disclosed (such as the butyl rubber materials) herein and may have one or more of the following:
• the dampener 34 is provided as a tape, roll or elongated strip that is applied to a shaft or handle of sports equipment, such as the shaft 16 or handle 18 of a tennis racquet.
• the dampener 34 may be wound about the shaft 16 or handle 18 and then cut.
• the dampener 34 may include a bottom adhesive layer 42 ( Fig. 6 ) for attaching the dampener to the handle.
• the dampener may not include an intervening adhesive layer and the polymer composition 36 may be applied directly to the surface of the handle.
• the dampener 34 can form or form part of the overgrip or undergrip of a tennis racquet.
• the dampener 34 could be placed on the racquet during manufacturing. Alternatively, a user could apply the dampener to the racquet after market.
• a sports equipment such as a golf club 50 having a shaft 52.
• the shaft 52 includes a grip 54 in the form of a sleeve 56.
• the sleeve 56 includes a bore 58 for receiving the shaft 52.
• the sleeve 56 may be made of or contain the polymeric composition.
• the sleeve 56 may be molded or cut into the desired sleeve shape.
• the sleeve may include a core 60 made of the polymeric composition and an outer layer 62 made of a gripping material.
• one or more dampening strips such as any of those disclosed herein, may be placed on the shaft 52 or the golf club head 53.
• Butyl rubber is a copolymer of isobutylene with small amounts of isoprene.
• Butyl rubber in the uncured state is a weak material having the typical properties of a plastic gum; it has no definite elastic limit, that is, upon slow application of tensile stress, it elongates almost indefinitely without breaking, and exhibits virtually no elastic recovery after the stress is removed.
• vulcanized or cured butyl rubber is a strong, non-plastic material; it has an elastic limit, as well as the ability to return substantially to its original length after being stretched as much as several hundred per cent.
• the unsaturation in the butyl polymer or butyl rubber may simultaneously impart the dampening properties, as well as anti-ageing properties, and the anti-microbial properties of the polymeric formulation.
• the range of unsaturation of the butyl rubber is 1.65-2.60 mole% unsaturation.
• the unsaturation is from 0.7 mole% to 2-45 mole%. Although lower unsaturation would result in lower cross-link density, which might provide improved dampening, it may also deteriorate the stress/strain properties and set properties.
• the butyl rubber is cross-linked with a phenol-formaldehyde resin cure or is sulfur crosslinked.
• Butyl rubber is well known in the art and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,031,423 , column 1, lines 15 to 24.
• the low unsaturation butyl rubber may contain 0.5 to 1.1 mole% isoprene and 98.9 to 99.5 mole% isobutylene and can be prepared by any of the well known prior art methods, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,356,128 .
• useful impact modifying rubbers include, for instance, thermoplastic elastomeric polymeric resins.
• Impact modifying rubbers may be selected from, for example, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-propylene- diene terpolymers, sulfonated ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, polychloroprene, poly(2,3- dimethylbutadiene), nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR), poly(butadiene-co-pentadiene), chlorosulfonated polyethylenes, polysulfide elastomers, block copolymers, made up of segments of glassy or crystalline blocks such as polystyrene, poly(vinyltoluene), poly(t-butylstyrene), polyester and the like and the elastomeric blocks such as polybuta
• the butyl rubber is present in the composition in the range of from about 45% to 65% of the total weight of the formulation.
• the butyl rubber could be present by percent weight of the formulation as follows: 45; 45.5; 46; 46.5; 47; 47.5; 48; 48.5; 49; 49.5; 50; 50.5; 51; 51.5; 52; 52.5; 53; 53.5; 54; 54.5; 56; 56.5; 57; 57.5; 58; 58.5; 59; 59.5; 60; 60.5; 61; 61.5; 62; 62.5; 63; 63.5; 64; 64.5; and about 65.
• the butyl rubber can be present in the composition in the following weight percent: 45; 45.1; 45.2; 45.3; 64.7; 64.8; 64.9; and 65.
• the butyl rubber content could be present in a range defined by any two numbers above.
• the curing agents may be phenols and phenol-formaldehyde resins produced by condensation of a phenol with formaldehyde in the presence of base.
• Typical agents include 2, 6- dihydroxymethyl-4-alkyl phenols and their polycyclic condensation polymers. Examples are given in U.S. Patent No. 2,701,895 . Curing occurs through the reaction of the methylol groups of the phenols or resin with the uncured rubber to form cross-linked structures.
• the polymeric composition is formed by curing the butyl rubbers with low amounts of phenol-formaldehyde resins with low levels of ether bridging.
• improved properties may include improved high-temperature ageing characteristics, faster cure rates, and better stress/strain properties.
• the polymeric composition may comprise such resin, an uncured butyl rubber, a halogen-containing compound and, optionally, a filler, and a process oil.
• Base-catalyzed phenol-formaldehyde resins can be made by condensing a phenol with formaldehyde in the presence of base. The reaction results in the formation of phenol- alcohols which may subsequently undergo condensation reactions to form polycyclic phenols.
• An example of a polycyclic phenol-formaldehyde resin is given below:
• the phenol moieties are bridged by R'.
• These bridging moieties, R' may be the same or different and may be either methylene (-CH2-) or dimethylene ether (-CH2-0- CH2).
• the integer n may have values from o to 10, preferably o to 5. It is preferred that the integer n has a value sufficiently high that the resin is a solid.
• the group R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl group. It may contain up to about twelve carbon atoms.
• the R groups are alkyl groups containing up to 8 carbon atoms, especially methyl, tert-butyl and tert-octyl groups; see U.S. Patent No. 2,701,895 for further examples, which are in incorporated by reference herein.
• Resin-cured butyl rubbers with improved properties may be obtained by curing with phenol-formaldehyde resins with low levels of ether bridging.
• the molar ratio of dimethylene ether bridges to methylene bridges in the phenol-formaldehyde resin is less than about 2.5:1, or less than about 1.7:1, most preferably less than about 1:1.
• suitable phenol-formaldehyde resins which may be used include the resin in which has a molar ratio of dimethylene ether bridges to methylene bridges of about 0.65:1.
• the butyl rubber composition requires a small amount of a diene comonomer, usually isoprene, so that the composition can undergo cross-linking, or curing.
• Grades of butyl rubber can be distinguished by their isoprene content and Mooney viscosity (related to the molecular weight).
• uncured butyl rubber may have from about 0.5 mol% to about 10 mol% isoprene with butyl rubbers containing from about 0.5 to about 2.5 mol% isoprene, or also from about 0.9 to about 2.1 mol% of isoprene. Mention is made particularly of butyl rubber having about 1-4 to about 1.6 mol% isoprene.
• Some suitable butyl rubbers have a Mooney viscosity of about 25 to 70, preferably about 30 to about 63 (RPML 1 + 8 @ 125°C).
• a halogen is present in the formulation.
• halogen-containing compounds include organic compounds such as olefin-containing polymers having pendant chlorine atoms, such as polychloroprene, available under such trade-marks as Baypren (Bayer), Butachlor (Distagul) and Neoprene (DuPont).
• the amount present in the formulation is within the range of about 1 to about 10 parts, or about 4 to about 6 parts, or about 5 parts by weight to about 95 parts of uncured butyl rubber.
• chlorine-containing salts for example stannous chloride, can be used as the halogen-containing compound.
• the required halogen e.g., chlorine or bromine, atom is provided as a component of one of the other ingredients of the formulation, rather than being provided by a separately added compound.
• a chlorinated or brominated butyl rubber, or a chlorinated or brominated polycyclic phenol-formaldehyde resin rather than a separately added compound such as polychloroprene or stannous chloride.
• the unhalogenated butyl rubber and unhalogenated phenol-formaldehyde resin are used and that the halogen is added in, say, polychloroprene or stannous chloride.
• a haloalkylated PF resin such as bromomethylated PF resin.
• the range of alkylation in the alkyl PF resin is from about 8% to 12.5%.
• the bromomethyl alkylated phenolic resins are described in U.S. Pat. No.
• 2,972,600 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and are prepared by brominating a phenolic material selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxymethyl 4-alkyl phenols, 2,6-dihydroxymethyl 4-alkyl phenols, resitols of such hydroxymethyl 4-alkyl phenols wherein the resitol has an average of up to 4 phenol units, and a mixture of a 4-alkyl phenol with 0.5 to 2.1 moles of formaldehyde per mole of said phenol, said alkyl group containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms and the average bromine content of the brominated material being from about 1 to about 9 percent.
• a phenolic material selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxymethyl 4-alkyl phenols, 2,6-dihydroxymethyl 4-alkyl phenols, resitols of such hydroxymethyl 4-alkyl phenols wherein the resitol has an average of up to 4 phenol units, and a
• a low unsaturation butyl rubber containing a bromomethyl alkylated phenolic resin and a metal halide is used.
• the PF resin is present in the composition in the range of from about 5% to 15% of the total weight of the formulation. Stated another way, the PF resin could be present by percent weight of the formulation as follows: 5; 5.5; 6; 6.5; 7; 7.5; 8; 8.5; 9; 9.5; 10; 10.5; 11; 11.5; 12; 12.5; 13; 13.5; 14; 14.5; and 15.
• the PF resin can be present in the composition in the following weight percent: 5; 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 14.7; 14.8; 14.9; and 15.
• the PF resin content could also be present in a range defined by any two numbers above.
• Butyl rubber compositions may also be crosslinked in a number of different ways.
• Sulfur both in the form of rubber makers sulfur (S8) or polymeric sulfur (insoluble sulfur) (Sx) along with various accelerators such as Thiazoles, Sulfenamides, Guanidines, Carbamates, Thiurams, Alkyl phenol disulfides, Thiomorpholines, Dioximes, Phosphorodithioates, Aniline and its derivatives.
• Halogenated butyl rubbers including brominated isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene (BIMSM) may also be used.
• Halogenated butyl rubber may also be crosslinked by thioureas, metal oxides or metal chlorides, or peroxides with coagents.
• Fillers may be added to the formulation.
• fillers include talc, calcium carbonate, clay, silica, titanium dioxide, carbon black, aluminum silicate, hydrated aluminum silicate, kaolin, montmorillonite, calcium carbonate, and quartz.
• the carbon black ranges from N-770 to N-110; in one embodiment, the carbon black is N-351, classified in accordance with ASTM D1765 (see Maurice Morton, "Rubber Technology” 3rd Edition, Chapman & Hall, New York, 1995, pages 69-70 , hereby incorporated by reference). In another embodiment, the carbon black is N550.
• the filler is present in the amount of about 5% to about 45% of the total weight of the formulation. In another embodiment, more than one filler may be present with each filler in the amount of about 5% to about 45% of the total weight of the formulation. Stated another way, the filler could be present by percent weight of the formulation as follows: 5; 5.5; 6; 6.5; 7; 7.5; 8; 8.5; 9; 9.5; 10; 10.5; 11; 11.5; 12; 12.5; 13; 13.5; 14; 14.5; 15; 15.5; 16; 16.5;17; 17.5; 18; 18.5; 19; 19.5; 20; 20.5; 21; 21.5; 22; 22.5; 23; 23.5; 24; 24.5; 25; 25.5; 26; 26.5; 27; 27.5; 28; 28.5; 29; 29.5; 30; 30.5; 31; 31.5; 32; 32.5; 33; 33.5; 34; 34.5; 35; 35.5; 36; 36.5; 37; 37.5; 38; 38.5; 39;
• the filler or fillers individually can be present in the composition in the following weight percent: 5; 5.1; 5.2; 5.3, 44.7; 44.8; 44.9; and 45.
• the formulation contains more than one filler.
• the first filler is present in the formulation in the range of from about 5% to about 15% of the weight of the formulation.
• the second filler is present in the range of from about 20% to 35% of the weight of the formulation.
• the formulation of the may contain a process oil, and many suitable process oils are known to those skilled in the art.
• suitable process oils include castor oil and paraffinic oils.
• Zinc oxide may be added as an activator, suitably in an amount of up to about 8 parts, preferably about 5 parts, per hundred parts of rubber. Stearic acid may also be added, to assist in solubilizing the zinc oxide in the formulation.
• the butyl rubber formulation described may be made by mixing the components of the butyl rubber formulation described above, and additionally any other desired optional ingredients such as accelerator, extender, lubricant, plasticizer, and the like, in any convenient manner used in the rubber industry, e.g. on a mill or in an internal mixer.
• the formulation includes uncured butyl rubber, a halogen-containing compound, and a polycyclic phenol-formaldehyde resin having dimethylene ether bridges and methylene bridges, wherein the molar ratio of dimethylene ether bridges to methylene bridges is less than about 2.5:1 and the ratio of uncured butyl rubber to said polycyclic phenol-formaldehyde resin is less than 10:1 and may be as little as 5:1.
• the product can be formulated to facilitate formation of strips, sheets, tapes, rolls, films, forms, foams, molds, slabs, tapes, coatings, perforated sheets, corrugated structures, laminates, beads, spray foams and any desired shape for damping purposes.
• a vibration damping composition comprises a carbon containing nano-material.
• a multilayer article comprises a vibration damping composition comprising a carbon containing nano-material.
• compositions described herein may comprise a plurality of carbon containing nano-materials.
• Carbon nanotubes may be single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) or double walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNT).
• the DWCNTs may be obtained by any means, including, for instance, catalytic chemical vapor deposition. Such preparations techniques may give approximately 80% DWCNTs, having a diameter ranging between 1 and 3 nm and a length that can reach 100 ⁇ m.
• the electrical conductivity of such nanotubes may be greater than 25 S/cm when they are pressed into the form of pellets.
• MWCNTs multi-walled nanotubes
• the MWCNTs may be obtained by vapor deposition in the presence of a supported catalyst, such as described in PCT published patent application WO03/002456A2 .
• MWCNTs so prepared may show, by transmission electron microscopy, that close to 100% of the tubes are MWCNTs.
• Such MWCNTs may have a diameter ranging between 10 and 50 nm and a length that can attain 70 ⁇ m.
• the electrical conductivity of such MWCNTs may reach greater than 20 S/cm when pressed in the form of pellets.
• the SWCNTs, DWCNTs, and MWCNTs may be purified by washing with acid solution (such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid) so as to rid them of residual inorganic and metal impurities.
• SWCNTs may also be noncovalently modified by encasing the nanotubes within cross-linked, amphiphilic copolymer micelles, such as described by Kang and Taton in Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 125, 5650 (2003 ).
• the carbon nanotubes may be surface-functionalized, for instance, as described by Wang, Iqbal, and Mitra in Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 128, 95 (2006 ).
• carbon containing nano-materials include, for instance, carbon nanofibers.
• nanofibers include sub-micron VaporGrown Carbon Fibers (s-VGCF) with very small diameters (20-80 nm), high aspect ratio (>100), and a highly graphitic structure (>60%) available as Grupo Antolin Carbon Nanofibers (GANF), from Grupo Antolin, Spain.
• s-VGCF sub-micron VaporGrown Carbon Fibers
• GANF Grupo Antolin Carbon Nanofibers
• Pyrograf ® -III is available in diameters ranging from 70 and 200 nanometers and a length estimated to be 50-100 microns available from Applied Sciences, Inc. (ASI) located in Cedarville, Ohio.
• the vibration damping compositions described herein may further comprise non-carbon containing nano-materials.
• Such materials include, for instance, silica nano-particles, zirconia nano-particles, and alumina nano-particles, Ti02, clay, indium tin(oxide), iron oxide, zinc oxide, and combinations thereof.
• compositions described herein may further comprise pigments, flow control additives, anti- oxidants, curative compounds, co-curatives, cure accelerators, inert fillers such as mineral fillers, flame retardants, processing aids such as extrusion aids (including fluoropolymer- based processing aids and lubricants such as mineral oils and waxes), glass bubbles, polymeric bubbles (such as Dualite ® Hollow Composite Microsphere Fillers available from Pierce and Stevens, Corp., Buffalo, N.Y.) and other additives.
• inert fillers such as mineral fillers, flame retardants
• processing aids such as extrusion aids (including fluoropolymer- based processing aids and lubricants such as mineral oils and waxes)
• glass bubbles such as Dualite ® Hollow Composite Microsphere Fillers available from Pierce and Stevens, Corp., Buffalo, N.Y.
• Shaped articles may also be formed which comprise a carbon containing nano-material; a curable matrix; and a block copolymer comprising a functional block and a non- functional block, wherein no block is compatible with the curable matrix.
• the carbon containing nano-materials may be dispersed in the curable matrix.
• the curable matrix is electrically non-conductive, whereas the composite article itself is electrically conductive.
• Shaped articles include, for instance, sleeves, shafts, handles, frames, struts, bodies and the like.
• the compositions described herein allow for efficient and/or uniform dispersion of carbon containing nano-materials. This efficient dispersion may give rise to favorable properties, such as tensile strength, modulus improvements, flexibility, electrical conductivity, 5 thermal conductivity, and viscoelastic vibration damping.
• the cured compositions described herein have a tan delta value that is at least 20% higher than a comparable cured composition containing the cured matrix that lacks the carbon containing nano-materials as described herein. In other embodiments, the tan delta value of the cured compositions described herein is increased by 20% or more, 25% or more, 35% or more, or even 50% or more when compared to a cured composition containing the cured matrix that lacks the carbon containing nano-materials and block copolymer as described herein.
• the polymeric compositions also may have antimicrobial properties.
• the formulation in one or more of the shapes desired can be used for dampening and impact modification as well as for additional microbial resistance this material has to offer.
• This material also in one embodiment has light-weight compared to the comparable product in the market as well as longer useful life.
• the polymeric composition offers one or more of the following physical characteristics in its use: impact dampening; sound dampening; vibration dissipation; cushioning for comfort; sound attenuation; light-weight; longer life; anti-microbial properties; resistance to air exposure; and UV resistance.
• the use of the polymeric composition can be envisioned in a variety of fields.
• Some of the examples include grips for sporting equipment (tennis rackets, golf clubs, hockey sticks, mouth guards, football helmets, etc.), seats (for motorcycles or chairs), footwear (including shoe soles, inserts, toe pads, etc.), electronics (computers, cell phones, disk drives, etc.), vehicles, automobile interiors and roofs, kitchen appliances, outboard motors, braking systems, medical devices, etc.
• Further applications include automotive under hood insulation, automotive floor panels, bench top laboratory equipment, building wall panels, cell phone cases, compressor motors, coatings, computer pads, dishwasher walls, percussion (drum) dampeners, films, optical equipment, (laser), integrated components, medical devices, seat cushions, slab stock.
• the REB5A materials were tested at two different hardness values (45 and 55 durometer A) and compared with materials available on market from competitors. Seven materials were tested for comparison purposes. The primary objective of the test was to obtain tan 6 and E' values from the nine samples at vibration frequencies of 10Hz, 20Hz, 50 Hz, and 100Hz at room temperature (26 ⁇ 1°C) using the DMA. These measurements were reported on the technical data sheets of competitive products. Tan ⁇ , also known as damping factor in DMA terminology, is generally related to the energy damping properties of the material being tested. E' is the storage modulus and is related to the stiffness of the material. Tan d measures the ratio of the loss modulus E" to the storage modulus E'.
• a Netzch 242 DMA was used in the tensile mode. Static force of 0 N and dynamic force of 5 N were used with a force factor of 1.01 and an amplitude of 50 ⁇ m. Testing was conducted at room temperature (26 ⁇ 1°C) at frequencies of 10Hz, 20Hz, 50Hz, and 100Hz. Table 1 provides a summary of the DMA results; the results have been listed in order of highest to lowest tan 8 values. Table 2 calculates the percentage improvement in tan delta values of the materials of the present disclosure over the comparative materials.
• the proprietary material at 45 and 55 durometer A hardness (REB5A-45 and REB5A-55) provided the highest tan 8 values out of all of the tested samples. Thus, these material would have superior mechanical energy damping properties at the tested conditions.
• the storage modulus E' of the materials corresponded well with the physical stiffness of the samples. On the other hand, this stiffness represented by E' did not seem to correlate directly to the damping performance represented by tan ⁇ . For example, a less stiff material (lower E' value) did not correspond to a higher level of damping (high tan ⁇ value) as may be conventionally expected.

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